Race Against Time: A Novel of Romantic Suspense

Growing up in the foster system, Quinn O'Meara made a point of never getting involved. But when she discovers a crying baby amid a fiery crime scene, she knows she has no choice. Suddenly in way over her head, Quinn turns to the police, unintentionally positioning herself in the crosshairs of a deadly human-trafficking ring. The last time homicide detective Nick Saldano saw Quinn, she was still the young girl he'd shared a foster home with.

The Secret Sister

After a painful divorce, Maisey Lazarow returns to Fairham, the small island off the North Carolina coast where she grew up. She goes there to heal - and to help her brother, Keith, a deeply troubled man who's asked her to come home. But she refuses to stay in the family house. The last person she wants to see is her wealthy, controlling mother. Instead she finds herself living next door to someone else she'd prefer to avoid - Rafe Romero, the wild, reckless boy to whom she lost her virginity at 16.

Flawless

It's a pub in lower Manhattan, run by the Finnegan family for generations and now owned by Kieran and her three brothers. Kieran Finnegan, who still works there whenever she can, has become a criminal psychologist - a fitting reaction, perhaps, to her less-than-lawful past. Meanwhile, New York's Diamond District has been hit by a rash of thefts. No one's been killed - until now.

The Shark: Forgotten Files, Book 1

At the grisly murder scene of a teen prostitute, Virginia state trooper Riley Tatum's past roars back to haunt her. When she was a teenage runaway, she was kidnapped, drugged, and left unconscious on the streets. She has no memories of what happened, only strange recurring dreams of two men playing cards. Former FBI agent Clay Bowman, Riley's old flame, is Shield Security's newest member. He's plagued by the unsolved case of a serial killer nicknamed the Shark who murdered girls as part of a sadistic poker game.

Kidnapped: An Edgars Family Novel

FBI Agent Jake Carlisle is in deep trouble. While undercover he's been shot, but he's not sure if it's the crooks or local cops behind it. Worse, if he can't get help fast, two lives will be lost - his and that of the young witness, a boy whom he's sworn to protect. On the run from both the police and the Russian Mafia, Jake will do anything to save the child at his side, even something illegal. In desperation he kidnaps a nurse from a hospital parking lot.

Family Sins

Felled by a cowardly shot to the back, Stanton Youngblood has just enough time before he dies to leave a single clue to his killer's identity: the word Wayne, scrawled in his own blood. That word means everything to his widow. Leigh Youngblood was once Leigh Wayne, but she left her wealthy family behind thirty years ago when she fell in love with Stanton, a betrayal the Waynes have never forgiven. Now she publicly vows to discover which of her siblings thinks money and power are enough to cover up a murder.

Publisher's Summary

Twelve people have been shot at point-blank range and left to rot in the desert sun. It's Sophia St. Claire's job to do something about it. She's Bordertown, Arizona's new chief of police - and she's out of her depth. Help arrives in the form of Department 6 hired gun Roderick Guerrero. As far as Sophia's concerned, his involvement only makes things worse. Maybe he's managed to turn his life around. And maybe he's a good investigator. But as the bastard son of a wealthy local rancher, he has a history he can't get past. A history that includes her. Rod refuses to leave town until the killer is caught. He's not worried about the danger posed by some vigilante. It's Sophia who threatens him. Because he's used to risking his life - but his heart is another story.

Sophia is Bordertown’s police chief. While she is good at what she does, because of her age she doesn’t have the total confidence of the town council in her ability to do her job. It doesn’t help that she is being set up by a former deputy to make her look incompetent because he desires her job. Next problem; former bad boy, bastard son and brother, who has made good, arrives and shows her clues she has missed in the case. Why is he here? Who brought him here? And Why? This story had some great twists and turns like the previous story, there are elements you just don’t see coming till they smack you in the face.While this is supposed to be a series this story can stand on its own, there is no involvement of previous characters.Cris did a fine job with the narration.

Author used too many bad guys. Police chief Sophia is searching for a serial killer. Early in the story we see Leonard plant bugs in her home, car and office. He uses what he hears against her and causes problems. Next Sophia talks to someone and the reader learns he is also a bad guy who plans to harm her but she doesn’t know it. Other bad guys are added later. It’s a conspiracy of people Sophia trusts or interacts with, and gradually as the story progresses new ones come to light - not the best kind of plot for me.

Examples of contrivance and stupidity. 1. Sophia and Rod escape a dangerous situation but part ways because someone wants to show Rod something. This was an artificial contrivance that was carried on far too long to extend the mystery. The guy could have told Rod about a picture he saw - which was a clue to the killer’s identity. But he took Rod away from Sophia when she was fleeing from killers. The guy makes Rod wait in the car while he soothes his wife who is upset about something. Then they eventually go to a place where he shows Rod the picture. 2. During this separation Rod and Sophia have cell phones but they don’t tell each other what is going on. Sophia almost gets killed and is at the hospital with another victim. She should walk outside the hospital door and call Rod to tell him what happened but she doesn’t because a little boy wants her to stay with him in the waiting room. She says come with me for a minute while I make a call. The boy doesn’t want to so Sophia stays with him and does not make the call. Shootings and murders are happening but she won’t call Rod? 3. Sophia hears gun shots inside a house. She goes inside and finds someone safe. She puts her gun on the bed and goes over to comfort that person. Meanwhile bad guy walks in with his gun. Sophia’s gun is too far away to reach. There was more stupidity.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:Cris Dukehart was good. But at times her reading of general narration (non-dialogue) was too much like reading. Other narrators read non-dialogue parts with a sense of wonder or curiosity. Hers wasn’t as good. But she was good enough, just not the best. I was pleased that she used a quality microphone screen - so I did not hear her breaths.

Narrative mode: 3rd person.Genre: romantic suspense.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Andra

Roanoke, IN, United States

14/04/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"An okay read with a somewhat predictable ending!"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I did not like the beginning chapter of the book, but as the book progressed, the beginning chapter made sense.

Would you be willing to try another book from Brenda Novak? Why or why not?

For sure! I have all of her books and I think she is the best writer ever!

What three words best describe Cris Dukehart’s voice?

Her voice works!

Do you think Body Heat needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, because this is not one of the strongest books in the series.

Any additional comments?

Love Brenda Novak's books and will continue to buy them.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

MickeyMarie

Narnia

23/12/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good book but series weakness"

When I look at a series I like to see characters continue and grow with each book. (Like the Cynsters). While this book is as good as the first in the series, the only connection is Department 6 and Arizona.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful

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